Hood fastener



F. A. WHITTEN HOOD FASTENER Dec. 10, 1929.

Filed March 3l. 1926 Patented Bec. lO, 1929 risata narrantrrnca FRANK A. VIHZTTEN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS COR- PORATION, OF DETROIT, JIC-IGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE HOOD FASTENER This invention relates to automobile hoods, and has for its object the production of a simple but ei'icient means for holding or securing the complementary removable sidek panels thereof against accidental displacement from the body of the automobile, the invention being particularly adapted for hoods of large heavy engines, such hoods generally being composed of three or four separate panels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a locking device for the side panels of the hood which is adapted to be used in connection with any of the known types of barrel fasteners, the fasteners being carried on the side panels vand having an operating mechanism carried in the lower end thereof which is arranged to draw the complementary sections of each side of the hood into reo tractile engagement with one another.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a locking device that not only positively insures against accidental displacement of the various panels constituting the hood, but at the same time is so arranged as to allow the same to be readily placed upon the frame of the automobile, or removed therefrom.

ifinother object of the invention is to provide stirrups near the lower end of the hood shelves which are adapted to project through tl e body of the side panels and engage with a reinforcing rod carried by the bottom marginal edge of the side panel whereby as the .Je side panel is forced into engagement with its adjoining top portion, the` side panel is guided inwardly by the said stirrup and firmly pressed against the hood support. Other objects will appear hereinafter. o 1n the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of an automobile, embodying a hood and locking device as constructed according to the principle of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the hood support and side panel heated thereon, the view illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the same;

Figure L lis a fragmentary elevation of the hood support and the side panel resting thereagainst of another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the same. Throughout the various figures, similar` parts are designated by similar numerals.

The invention is admirably adapted to be used in connection with the usual three or four piece hoods commonly found only on automobile trucks, although as will be readily apparent as the description proceeds, its use in this particular manner is not to be construedlimited thereto, Y 1 The automobile A, as illustrated inFigure 1, is a truclr chassis, and the hood thereof comprisesY preferably four complementary panels, the upper panels 6 and the side panels 7, the two upper panels 6 being suitably hinged together. The bottom marginal edge 8 of the side panels? is preferably formed with a reinforcing rod 9 as indicated in Figures 8 and 5. The upper panels 6 are provided with stationary keepers 10 arranged for cooperative engagement with hood latches 11l carried by the side panels Y. ylhese hood latches 11 are preferably fashioned as indicated in the drawing and include a resilient clamping barrel 12 operated by the link lever 13. A hood support 14- is formed `as a part ofthe radiator shell 15, and is provided with the usual cushioning band 16; Secured to the underside of the hood support is a stirrup 17 formedwith an outwardly and downwardly extending ear or lug 18. rlhis ear 18 isl adapted to project through suitable openings 19cut at convenient points in the panels 7, so that when the panel is disposed snugly in place upon its support, the ear 18 is permitted a free passage through the said aperture. j j

The said stirrup may assume any desired shape. For instance l have illustrated in Figure 5 a plate 20 formed with an integral, curved, outwardly extending lug21 which,

obviousl is ada )ted to serve substantiall f Y l Y the same purpose as the straight ear hereinbefore described. in either case a clip Q2 may be provided to effect amore pleasing appearance to the exterior of the side panels, as

well as to cover the apertures 19 and, moretop and side panels, the side panel is urged over, the projecting ear or lug extending inwardly against the frame of the hood.

therethrough. y

In practice, the panel 7 is lowered into position on the side sill or frame member 23 and `then slightly raised so asto vdispose the-said reinforced marginal edge 8 under each projecting ear or lug 18, whereupon when the said latch l1 is operated to clamp the panels 6 and 7 together, the side panel 7 being guided bodily inward and locked in fixed position by virtue of the reinforced portion of the said panel being forced tight against the said ear or lug.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a construction, combination and arrangement of various parts which fully attains the objects of the invention hereinbefore set out. p

Modilications ofthe above may be made i within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. Incombination'with a hood, a support for said hood, a top panel, a removable 'side panel formed with a bottom reinforcing bead and a pair of apertures positioned immedi-kv ately above and spaced a small distance from each end of said bead, stationary keepers within the hood comprising downwardly and Voutwardly projecting lugs, and a pair of latches carried by said side panel for draw-v ing said side panel into cooperative engagement with the top panel, said lugs being ar ranged to extend freely'through said apertures and to engage the bead of said side panel in such manner that the side panel is bodily guided inwardly and snugly seated upon its support, the said side member being positivelyiheldv there by the said latches.

2. In combination with a hood, a support for saidhood, a top panel, a removable side Vpanel formed with abottom reinforcing bead and a pair of openings positioned just above said beadV and near theends thereof, a pair of inclined downwardlyV projecting keepers mounted on said support and adapted to pass freely through said openings and a latch carried on said side panel for engaging theV top panel wiereby the said parts of the hood are pulled tightly together [and the said bead by its engagement with the said keepers guides the said side panel inwardly into close contact with said hood support.

l 3,; In combination with a hood, a support for said hood, a top panel., a removable side panel Vformed with an yaperture near each lower corner thereof, stationary means se.-

cured to said support to provide a downardly and outwardly extending lug adapted to pass freely through eachaperture in t-he side panel, and means associated with the lower marginal edge of the side panel for engagement with the said lug, whereby during ,the engagement of the said latch with the In testimony whereof I affix my signature. 

